"I will look over it at the weekend with my instructed solicitor and we will respond accordingly.

"We have received the notice. It came as a surprise as it isn't something they told us they would do.

We have received the notice. It came as a surprise as it isn't something they told us they would do.

Stephen Dank's barrister Greg Stanton

"They indicated they would infract him for alleged breaches.

"Having not sought to compel his attendance and question him, they have now asked him to show cause in relation to a number of matters where clearly they have information available to them and are seeking his response.

"It's a novel and, quite frankly, odd approach."

Dank is reportedly upset that the issuing of the notice was leaked to the media.

Former ASADA chief executive Richard Ings said on Twitter that retired Federal Court judge Garry Downes would be a major reason for the notice being sent to Dank.

Make no mistake this has Judge Downes all over it. Remember he is running this show now on the ASADA end.He will act on credible questions

Downes was brought in last month to help wrap up ASADA's lengthy investigations into the Essendon AFL and Cronulla NRL supplements programs.

Late last month, outgoing ASADA chief executive Aurora Andruska told a Senate Estimates Hearing that the information gathering phase of the investigation was over.

It was also confirmed at the time that ASADA had not interviewed Dank, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

The Federal Government want Downes to provide an assessment of the investigation by April, but it is unclear when ASADA will decide whether to issue anti-doping infraction notices.

The AFL hit Essendon with severe penalties last season over the club's 2012 supplements program, kicking the Bombers out of the finals and suspending coach James Hird for 12 months among other penalties.

The NRL hit the Sharks with a $1 million fine, issued a 12-month ban to coach Shane Flanagan and cancelled the registration of trainer Trent Elkin.

Fairfax Media reports it is unclear whether ASADA will issue a separate show-cause notice in relation to Dank's time at Cronulla.

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